“Sloppy Toppy,” a spiritual precursor to epic Rodeo collaborations “3500” and “Nightcrawler,” remains the platonic ideal for when Scott’s grand plans come together. Teeing it off with an expertly chopped 1977 Edna Wright sample (produced by FKi 1st and Mike Dean), Scott assembles Migos and Peewee Longway, some of the era’s greatest Atlanta rappers, for a deliriously raunchy joyride that always seems on the verge of veering off the cliff. It’s a posse cut that wouldn’t have sounded out of place on Migos’ No Label II. Here, Scott is more akin to the coach of the Showtime Lakers, tasked only with bridging the gap, pushing the right buttons to position more talented lyricists to succeed.
He doesn’t always need help from guests: On “Drugs You Should Try It,” arguably the mixtape’s summit, Scott embarks on his version of an emotive ballad, yearning for the numbing effects of substances over FKi 1st’s murky, downtempo production. “I try it if it feels right/This feels nice/I’ve been down and lost for days/Glad I found you on the way,” his raps, his distorted voice eking it way out over the lush guitar composition. The words feel raw, even though he isn’t saying much—a balance that’s a lot easier to strike as a regular guy than it is as a larger-than-life superstar.
But the longer stretches where Scott flies solo on Days Before Rodeo were early evidence that, as a rapper, he generally shouldn’t be left to his own devices. If it weren’t for the intoxicating thrill ride “Backyard,” where his vocals turn the track from a party into a rager, the second half of the project would feel like a slog through harmless, sophomoric boasts. Already on Days Before Rodeo, it feels like Scott is more focused on executing big swings than he is in the more tedious process of coming up with important or interesting things to say. The new edition’s five bonus tracks—all previously unreleased cuts from that era—aren’t appointment viewing. “Yeah Yeah” is a welcome chance to experience another wildly fun Thug appearance; otherwise, it’s strictly fan service.
Perhaps while revisiting Days Before Rodeo, your attention returned to that “Skyfall” behind-the-scenes video. It’s astounding that the clip exists, a mythical shot that almost morphs into a self-fulfilling prophecy of Scott’s trip to the stratosphere. It’s representative of the rapper’s ongoing obsession with creating a ubiquitous moment in pop culture, a historic clip that makes fans imagine that they “had to be there.” Days Before Rodeo wasn’t played off phone speakers in high-school hallways and dingy frat basements solely because it was stocked with bangers and true hits. The tape found its audience because Scott’s evident hunger inspired its own kind of FOMO: The bandwagon had arrived. Could you jump on before it was too late?
